The 22nd Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival is just days away, and I hope you can join us for the FREE celebration. One of the largest and longest-running jazz festivals, the South LA party will take place July 29-30 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. along Central Avenue between King Boulevard and Vernon Avenue.

The two-day festival, expected to attract about 70,000 concert-goers, will feature dozens of performers on three stages. This year's jazz fest also includes the first-ever beer and wine garden, with proceeds going to arts and youth programming in CD 9. 

For more information on the 22nd Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival, including a list of performers, pavilions and family-friendly activities, click here.

Sincerely, 

Curren Price 

I am delighted to inform you that, in partnership with the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), my Office will once again be hosting a FREE citizenship workshop in South LA. Details below.

Please keep in mind that you must schedule an appointment first to find out if you’re eligible. CARECEN will provide free legal assistance at recurring workshops taking place in the Ninth District through 2018.

For more information on this CD 9 program, please call my Constituent Service Center at (323) 846-2651.

Me da gusto informarle que en asociación con el Centro de Recursos Centroamericano (CARECEN), mi oficina estará organizando una vez más un taller GRATIS de ayuda para la solicitud de ciudadanía en el sur de Los Ángeles. Detalles a continuación.

Por favor tenga en cuenta que tendrá que programar una cita primero para ver si usted es elegible. CARECEN proveerá asistencia legal en estos talleres recurrentes que se llevaran a cabo en el Noveno Distrito hasta el 2018.  

Para más información sobre el programa del Distrito 9 del Concejo, por favor comuníquese con mi Centro de Servicios para el Constituyente al (323) 846-2651. 

The empowerment of adolescent girls and women is a top priority for my office. I sincerely believe that if our communities are to prosper, we must invest in, encourage and support women of all backgrounds.

In 2016, history was made in South Los Angeles as hundreds of Latinas joined my office at the inaugural "Mujeres Empowered for Success," the first-ever Latina Conference in the Ninth District. I am delighted to announce that I will be hosting the 2nd Annual Latina Conference on Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (400 W. Washington Blvd., LA 90015).

This will be a day of day of networking, education and empowerment so please help us spread the word to family, friends and neighbors. I can honestly say that it is one of my favorite yearly events because it celebrates women of color in our community.

The free conference will feature leaders and experts working in the areas of Civic Engagement, Education, Health, Immigration, Social Justice, Women’s Rights, and much more. Like last year, attendees will be treated to motivational speakers, insightful panel discussions, live entertainment and essential resources and valuable information. Thanks to the generosity of our partners, guests will also receive complimentary breakfast, lunch and other goodies.

I look forward to meeting you on May 20 as we honor the outstanding contributions of women and help shape the leaders of tomorrow! Please register online here. However, if you would like more information, please call my District Office at (323) 846-2651.

¡Gracias y que vivan las mujeres!

Big day for CD 9 yesterday as we broke ground on a new Honda dealership—one of the largest retail and commercial investments in our community at more than $25 million.

After decades of neglect and a lack of meaningful investment, I am proud to usher in a new era for economic development, job creation and a strong economy in Council District 9. I’m delighted to say, the NEW 9th is undergoing dramatic improvements unlike anything we’ve ever seen.

In fact, many people are looking to South Los Angeles as the next frontier for economic development, with exciting projects like the LAFC Soccer Stadium and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art – all of these projects in the pipeline, both big and small, will bring more than 6,500 jobs to the Ninth Council District alone!

The groundbreaking of the state-of-the-art, vertical facility is especially important because this dealership was teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, and now the ownership have turned it into one of the top performing Hondas in the country. With the expected growth from this new location, the dealership expects to become the number one Honda dealer in America. What a story!

I want to thank Joe Shuster and Ted Bessen of Downtown Honda for having the vision to invest in South Los Angeles, being a responsible company and good community partner. Honda of Downtown Los Angeles is creating a jobs program specifically for residents living in the District, donating $100,000 to Los Angeles Trade-Tech Community College to stimulate education in the automotive service-tech fields, and will donate $50,000 to the Figueroa Corridor Business Improvement District to continue innovation and beautification of the south Figueroa corridor.

With partners like Honda, we will continue to see growth and transform these surface parking lots into thriving hubs that provide jobs, housing and other wonderful resources for our local community. The project—at 740 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.—will rise out of an empty lot that had been abandoned for decades, and is expected to be completed by summer 2018.

Last month, I announced an unprecedented partnership with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) and Central American Resource Center (CARECEN-LA) that would allow two of the most trusted and respected immigrants’ rights organizations to provide a range of direct legal services to our District.

On March 25, CARECEN will host the first in a series of monthly naturalization workshops. Please share the information below with your family, friends and neighbors. Keep in mind: Only those with appointments will be able to meet with legal experts.

Traducción en Español a continuación

CARECEN, en Colaboración con el Noveno Distrito, Organiza Taller de Ciudadanía 

El mes pasado, anuncie una asociación sin precedentes con la Coalición por los Derechos Humanos de los Inmigrantes de Los Ángeles (CHIRLA) y el Centro Centroamericano de Recursos (CARECEN-LA) que permitirá que dos de las organizaciones de derechos de los inmigrantes más respetadas y de mayor confianza proveer una variedad de servicios legales de inmigración a nuestro Distrito.

Este 25 de marzo, CARECEN coordinará la primera de una serie de talleres mensuales de naturalización en el Distrito 9 del Concejo. Por favor comparta la información a continuación con su familia, amigos y vecinos. Tenga en cuenta: Sólo aquellos con citas tendrán la oportunidad de reunirse con expertos legales.

Working in partnership with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) and the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN-LA), I announced today an unprecedented $1 million fund for naturalization and other immigration services.

This one-of-a-kind partnership will allow two of the most trusted and respected immigrants’ rights organizations to serve one of the most vulnerable populations. The collaboration will result in a range of direct legal services, benefiting thousands of individuals. 

Because naturalization rates for immigrants in South LA trail behind the rest of the county, a portion of this program will focus on assisting legal permanent residents become citizens by providing financial assistance. However, this designation will also assist other segments of the population – such as DREAMERS, and it includes funding for deportation defense.

“The partnership between Councilmember Price’s office and the community eases the fear, facilitates access to trusted services, and helps families stay together,” said Angelica Salas, executive director for CHIRLA. 

As part of CHIRLA’s efforts, the CD 9 fund will help permanent residents apply for U.S. citizenship and includes civic and citizenship classes. In addition, CHIRLA will assist with DACA application renewals, family petitions, and deportation defense, to name a few of the legal services available. The initiative is expected to help more than 3,000 individuals over the next year.

“In these difficult times when immigrants are under fire from an administration bent on attacking them, naturalization and other legal remedies are the best possible ally,” said Martha Arévalo, CARECEN executive director.

CARECEN has proposed to execute a series of monthly naturalization workshops in Council District 9 beginning in March 2017. The citizenship filing fee assistance program is expected to serve around 1,200 applicants, who may be eligible for fee waivers or a reduced cost.

I want to thank President pro-Tem of the California State Senate Kevin de León, SEIU Local 2015, UNITE HERE Local 11 for joining me this morning as we revealed details of this investment, which will help keep families together and hopes and dreams intact. This plan will strengthen protections for immigrants, help to restore peace of mind and offer much-needed relief to local families. For me, no greater investment can be made than in the lives of our local families.

For more information about CHIRLA’s legal services, please call the toll free 1-888-6CHIRLA (1-888-624-4752).

You can get in touch with CARECEN by calling (213) 385-7800.

Flashback Friday: Group photo of the 9th Annual "Tribute to SHeroes" 2016 Recipients

It is my great privilege and honor to announce the 2017 “SHero” honorees. A SHero is a woman who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, pride and commitment to strengthening our community.

These exemplary women, with deep roots in the Ninth District, will be recognized at the 10th Annual Tribute to SHeroes Awards Luncheon and Ceremony on Feb. 19 at the Radisson Los Angeles Hotel.

I hope you will join me in celebrating their extraordinary accomplishments. They are the epitome of putting service before self! On behalf of Council District 9, I wish to extend my warm congratulations to…

Yosi Aguilar

Teacher, Ricardo Lizarraga Elementary School 

Orabelle Bolden

New 9^th Community Volunteer 

Teresa Castro

New 9^th Community Activist

Simone Charles

Principal, Mervyn M. Dymally High School

Jessica Clemmons

Parent Advocate & Community Outreach Champion,

Special Needs Network

Maria Espinoza

Member, South Central Neighborhood Council 

Jessenia Garcia

Homeless Services Program Coordinator, St. John's Well Child and Family Center

Marcela Garcia

Sergeant, LAPD Newton Area Community Relations

Danielle Green-Ssemugabi

Teacher, Santee Education Complex

Deisy Gutierrez

Promotora & Community Liaison for Best Start Metro LA, Para Los Niños

Dr. Desmonette Hazly

President, Friends of the Vernon Library

Ana Lasso

General Manager, Exposition Park

Elida Mendez

Community Coalition Member, Green Meadows Neighborhood 

Martha Mendez

Lead Case Manager, Volunteers of America Greater Los Angeles

Leticia Ortiz-Gonzales

FamilySource Center Program Coordinator, All Peoples Community Center

Theodora Oyie

Construction Manager for USC Village, Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Co.

Diana Pinto

Executive Director, South Central Los Angeles Ministry Project (SC LAMP)

Cynthia Rodriguez

Program Manager, Harmony Project/YOLA EXPO

Natividad Rodriguez

New 9^th Community Volunteer 

Yesenia Rodriguez

Officer, LAPD Newton Area - Community Safety Partnership Program at Pueblo del Rio Housing Development 

Claudia Romero-Lara

Teacher, 49th Street Elementary School

Christine “Ms. Pat" Smith

Owner, Smith’s Family Day Care

Karla Spivey

Vice Principal, Augustus F. Hawkins High School

Sue Vilas

New 9^th Community Volunteer

Veronica Zamora

Parent Representative, Julian Nava Preparatory Academy  

For more information on this very special community event, please contact Nora Gutierrez at (323) 846-2651 or via email at Nora.Gutierrez@lacity.org. Once again, my sincerest congratulations to this year’s recipients, and I hope you will join us for the festivities on Feb. 19.

Sincerely, 

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission voted unanimously on Jan. 26 to elect Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price, who represents the Ninth Council District, as president.

Councilman Price will be at the helm of the three-member panel, which is made up of city, county and state officials, for the remainder of 2017. The Councilmember represents Exposition Park—which includes the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum—for the Los Angeles City Council.

“I feel privileged and humbled by the chairmanship position,” Price said. “This is an exciting time, not just for the Coliseum, which will undergo a $270 million renovation, but all of Exposition Park. I’m enthusiastic for what the future holds!”

Currently, Exposition Park is in the midst of a revival that includes modernization of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum; construction of the $350 million, state-of-the-art Banc of California soccer stadium for the Los Angeles Football Club (on the site of the former Los Angeles Sports Arena); and, most recently, George Lucas announced plans to build his futuristic-looking Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Expo Park.

These and other catalytic projects in the pipeline, are helping to create thousands of good-paying jobs and bringing much-needed job-training resources for Council District 9 residents. For more information on employment opportunities, please contact the Vernon-Central/LATTC WorkSource Center at LA Trade Technical College at (213) 763-5951.

Once again, it was an honor to take part in the annual Kingdom Day Parade—a celebration that pays tribute to an all-time hero, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I’d like to leave you with some images from the event. To see all the pictures from the 32nd Annual Kingdom Day Parade, please click here.